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Commissioners weigh $1.1M in disaster estimates and plan contingency for FEMA reimbursements
Summary
Staff estimated multi-site flood repairs — bridge and culvert work possibly totalling $1.1M–$1.5M — and told the court it must front costs and expect FEMA to reimburse about 70–75% if declarations are approved; court directed budgeting full costs and earmarking contingency/fund-balance to cover the county share.
Kendall County engineering staff told commissioners on July 30 that multiple post-flood repair projects are likely to require substantial county funding up front even if FEMA or other agencies later reimburse most costs. Mary Ellen outlined approximate project estimates: a Zeller Lane bridge project around $500,000 (design and construction), Little Joshua low-water crossing and Mountain View culvert/road repairs in the $200k–$300k range, and earlier guardrail work near $75–80k.
Staff emphasized FEMA will only reimburse a percentage (commonly 70–75%) and the county is responsible for budgeting the full project cost initially. Commissioners instructed staff to include placeholder amounts in the proposed budget and to assume a worst-case approach for immediate cash needs. ‘‘If you budget at a 150, I would include that into that 1,100,000 of those 3 figures you gave me,’’ the auditor reminded the court as staff worked through reimbursement math. The court also discussed hiring outside firms to support FEMA paperwork and budgeting $115,000 for contract grant administration reimbursement contingencies tied to a CDBG-MIT grant.
